Traffic-signaling system



. 1,641,694 Se t. 6, 1927- J, J. RUDDICK TRAFFIC SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed July9. 19 2 Sheets-Sheet l 6 I T me "5%? 10 15 T 15 j 15 I Y I 19 13 1E 21 INVENTOR.

% ATTORNEYS.

1,641,694 P 6, 1927' J. J. RUDDICK TRAFFIC SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed July9. .1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 My /////fi INVENTOR.

TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 6, 1927. I

'1,64i. 4 PAT Io-F ICE.

omu. BUDDICK, or wiis'r NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB 'ro GENERAL STREET sIe uL conromrron, or ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A conroaa'rioii or NEW YORK.

TBAFFIG-SIGNALING SYSTEM.

I The present invention relates to traflic signaling systems and more particularly to the type in which means is arranged in the o roadway operable by a passing vehicle for notifying traflic at a point in the roadway, such as a crossing, of the approach to said point of a vehicle, an object of this invention being to provide means in the roadway, over which vehicles may travel in both directions, to operate the sigiial only when the vehicle travels in the direction toward the signal. Another object of the invention is to provide. in the roadway two devices, one I of which efiects the operation ofthe signal and the other of which renders the signal inoperative when the vehicle passing over the first mentioned device is moving in the direction away from the signal; A further object of the invention is to provide a signal controlled by two overlapping and pivotally mounted members operated by vehicle .wheels' passing over said members, one of said members controlling the signal and being rendered ineffective by the other to produce an operation of the signal when a vehicle moves over the members in a direction away from the signal. I To these and other ends, the invention consists of certain parts and combinations of parts all of which will be hereinafter-described, the novel features being pointed out in the appended claims.

In'the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of a system 'constructed'in accordance with this invention; 1

i Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the signal controllin devices showin the operation; of said evices toefiect t e operation of the signal;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the signal controlling devices in their normal positions; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the signal devices'in their normal positions.

Referring more particularly to the draw-- .ings, 1 indicates a roadway or street and 2 a crossing roadway or street. At the crossing point a series of signals are arranged, one series indicated by the reference character 3 and the other signals being indicated by the reference characters 4. These signals may be of any suitable form such as visible signals, (lamps and semaphores), and audible signals, (horns and bells), or 9.

Application filed m 9, 1921. Serial no. 483,403.

combination of both. In this instance, the

signals 3 are arranged in 'series in one electric circuit and the signals 4 are arranged in series in another electric circuit the signals 4 being controlled by devices on the road or street land signals 3' being con trolled by devices on the road or street 2. In this embodiment-the two series of signal devices have a common battery 5, thecircuit of the signals:4 being controlled by switch 6,- and the circuits of the signals 3 being controlled by switch 7. The switch '6 is operated by electro-ma gnet 8, while the switch 7 is operated by electro-ma et 9.- The electro-nia'gnet 8 is controlled y the two devices a and b on the' roadway 1, while the electro-magnt 7 is controlled by the two devices a and d on the roadway 2. In order that the circuits to the signal devices 3 and 4 may be held closed fdr any desired length of time, the switches 6 and 7 may be of the type known & time switches, that is, may be maintained closed for a length of time suflicient .to permit a vehicle operating the signals to pass beyond the crossing or point where the si a1 is situated. A switch of this type is ilfii stratd in an ap- I phcation filed by'.me on t e 2nd day of August, 1920, Serial No. 400, 24. Y 1

One of the signal controlling devices, (1,, b, c and d, is" ustrated in Figs. 2 and .4. 'IIhlS controlling device embodies a member 10 which operates a switch or circuit'make and break device, embodying, in this instance, a spring finger 11 and a fixedcontact 12 which are arranged in a circuit'leading to the electrO-niagnet 8 and 9 of the time switch.- In this instance, this controlling member is in the form of an elongated plate arranged transversely of the roadway and having a depending lug 18 ivoted at-14 within a box 15 which is em ded in. the roadway. h As thevehicle' travels over this plate 10 it depresses the same brin the contact 11, carried by the underside .of the plate, in engagement with the contact 12 arranged in the box 15 and the'ends of the plate in engagement with the'top edges of the of the box. A spring 16 arranged in the box presses i nthe plate 10 normally to hold such p te in aslightlyelevated p'osition and edge 17of the plate in abutment with the-we ofthe box 15. With an end in view at preventing "the operation of the bya vehicle passing in a. direction away from the signal a means is provided which prevents the member 10 from effecting the operation of the signals. In this instance, this means comprises a member 18 which is operated by a vehicle passing thereover, the position of the member being such that it is engaged by a vehicle passing away from the signal, before the member 10 is engaged so that it may limit the movement of the member 10 when the latter is engaged by a vehicle, after the member 18 is engaged. In this instance, the member is also in the form of an elongated plate arranged transversely of the roadway and having a depending projection 19 pivoted in the box 15 at 20. A spring 21 in the box 15 normally holds the plate 18 in an elevated position with one edge thereof in proximity to the elevated edge of the plate 10. The opposite edge 22 of the plate cooperates with the upper edge of the box 15 and limits the upward movement of the plate 18 under the spring 21. Owing to the fact that the plates 10 and 18 are pivoted on different centers and the fact that the approximate edges of this plate travel in arcs which intersect each other, the depression of one plate in advance of the other will prevent the complete depression of the other plate, so that it is apparent, that if the plate 18 be depressed before the plate 10, due to the fact of its engagement by-the vehicle before such plate 10, then the plate 10 cannot be depressed and the contact 11 will not engage the contact 12. The downward movement of the plate 18 is limited by the engagement of the ends of the plate with the top edges of the sides of the box. However, if the plate 10 is engaged first as by a vehicle traveling roadway 1, a vehicle traveling along the roadway 1 or 2 will as it approaches the crossing operate the member 10 of the controlling devices a, b, c or (1, thus effecting the operation of the four signals at the crossing controlled by such controlling devices. Assuming that the controlling device at a is first operated, the signals t will be illuminated and this illumination will be maintained for a time fixed by the time switch 6. If the vehicle proceeds straight ahead. it will reach the controlling device b, or if it turns right or left, it will reach the controlling devices c or d. In any event it will travel over a member 18 before it engages a member 10 and in this way the member 18 will be swung to a position, so that when the member 10 is engaged by a vehicle the member 10 cannot bring the contact 11 in cooperation with the contact 12, and in this way the signal will not be again operated.

From the foregoing it will be seen'that there has been provided a traffic signaling system in which a signal situated at a suitable point is operated upon the approach of a vehicle to such point, but is rendered ineffective by the travel of a vehicle in the opposite direction. Two controlling devices may be provided for the signals, one situated on one side of the signals, and the other situated on the opposite side of the signals, so that the approach of a vehicle toward the signals from either direction effects the operation of the signals. The signals are held in operation for any desired length of time by a time switch, which effects the return of the signals to normal, after the operation ier any desired length of time. A controlling device is'provided which is operated by a vehicle passing thereover in one direction, means being employed for rendering such controlling device inefiective when the vehicle travels over same in the opposite direction.

lVhile the invention has been disclosed in connection with electrically operated signals, it is apparent, that it is not limited to this use and that it is within the scope of this invention to operate the signals through any other suitable means.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A vehicle operable switch comprising two pivotally mounted depressible members arranged 'in proximity to each other, the

proximate edges of said members being movable in intersecting arcs so that the depression of either one causes it to be thrown at its free edge in the path of the other to prevent the complete depression of the other,

aid 2. switch controlled by one of said mem- 2. A vehicle operable switch comprising two pivotally mounted depressible menibers arranged .in proximity to each other, the proximate edges of said members being movable in intersecting arcs so that the depressions of either one causes it to be thrown at its free edge in the path of the other to prevent the complete depression of the other, a switch controlled by one of said members, and springs acting on both members to hold them away from depressed positions.

Jomv J. iinrcKf 

